Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1991
Greatest Hits II was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1991, the album's first year, in 14 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
PMTV 21 A-2U-1-1Side A runout stamped
PMTV 21 B-1U-1- 6Side B runout stamped
PMTV 22 A-2-1- DSide C runout stamped
PMTV 22 B-1U-1- DSide D runout stamped
PMTV 21 A-2U-1-2 DSide A runout, stamped. Var. 1
PMTV 21 B-1U-1-1 DSide B runout, stamped. Var. 1
PMTV 22 A-1U-1-1 DSide C runout, stamped. Var. 1
PMTV 22 B-1U-1-2Side D runout, stamped. Var. 1
PMTV 21 A-3-1-1- DSide A runout, stamped
PMTV 21 B-4-1-2 DSide B runout, stamped
PMTV 22 A-2-1-7 DSide C runout, stamped
PMTV 22 B-4-1-1- DSide D runout, stamped
PMTV 21 A-3-1-1- DSide A runout, stamped
PMTV 21 B-3-1-1 DSide B runout, stamped
PMTV 22 A-4-1-1 DSide C runout, stamped
PMTV 22 B-3-1-1- DSide D runout, stamped
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Brazil | Parlophone 797971 1 / Parlophone 170 797971 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | Croatia | Croatia Records LP-7-2-S 2035731First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | Europe | Parlophone PMTV 2 / Parlophone 168 7 97971 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | Europe | Parlophone 7 97971 1 / Parlophone 168 7 97971 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | Europe | Parlophone 168 7 97971 1 / Parlophone 7 97971 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | Europe | Parlophone 168 7 97971 1 / Parlophone 7 97971 1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1991 | Germany | Parlophone 168 7 97971 1 / Parlophone 168-79 7972 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | Greece | Parlophone 168 79 7971 1 / Parlophone PMTV 2First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1991 | Hungary | MMC Records PL MMC 9131First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | Italy | Parlophone 2-162 7979711 / Parlophone 162 7979721First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | Italy | Parlophone 2-62 7979711 / Parlophone 62 7979721First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | Portugal | Parlophone 7979711First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | South Africa | Parlophone EMCJD (I) 5441First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | South Korea | Parlophone EKPL-0174-175 / Parlophone PMTV2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | Spain | Parlophone 182 79 7971 1 / Parlophone 79 7971 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Virgin EMI Records 0602557048445LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress · Limited | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress · Limited |
| 2016 | Europe | Virgin EMI Records 0602557048445LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2017 | US | Hollywood Records D002449801LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2018 | Italy | Virgin EMI RecordsLP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2019 | Japan | Virgin EMI Records / DeAGOSTINI Japan 11LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Spain | Virgin EMI RecordsLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2020 | US | Hollywood Records D003627401 / Hollywood Records D003421401LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | Europe | Virgin EMI Records 0602557048445LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | Chile | Virgin EMI RecordsLP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | China | EMI 0602557048445 / 环球音乐 0602557048445LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 2023 | Argentina | EMILP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2024 | Italy | EMILP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2026 | Europe | Columbia 19802942641LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
37 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits II are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1991 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in UK, Brazil, Croatia, Europe and more. One of them is Parlophone PMTV 2, released October 28, 1991.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PMTV 2, 797971 1, LP-7-2-S 2035731, 7 97971 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PMTV 21 A-2U-1-1 and PMTV 21 B-1U-1- 6. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
